Streaks Alumni Profile- Sara Saey Escudero 2016

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Sara Saey Escudero from Galesburg HS’s Class of 2016.

Sara was a great student at GHS, and was totally invested in activities at the same time. She played tennis, and ran cross country and track. By my count, Sara was an officer in at least 6 different clubs and organizations at GHS. 

Her drive and commitment continued into her impressive success as an under grad and then in dental school. Today she is already carving out an impressive career in dentistry, and in serving others. It is exciting to imagine what the future holds for Sara. 

Personally, I am hoping she is an Iowa grad who will become a Badger fan, living in Madison!!

Triple G Award Winners

Favorite Teachers/Classes

There are honestly too many wonderful teachers to list! I feel incredibly fortunate to have had so many amazing and influential educators throughout my years at Gale Elementary, Churchill Junior High, and GHS. I am deeply grateful for the impact they have had on my life and for the opportunities they provided that helped shape who I am today.

At GHS, some of my favorite classes were AP Calculus with Mrs. Kniker and both AP Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis with Mr. Johnson. Both teachers made their classes engaging and challenging while encouraging us to think critically and develop a deeper understanding of the material. Their passion for teaching made a lasting impression on me, and I am grateful for the role they played in my education.

Art Fish Award Winner

Sports/Activities at GHS

I ran track all four years at GHS. I also ran cross country for three years and played tennis my senior year. For activities, I was involved in Student Council, Math Club, Project Graduation, G-Club, Interact, and CARE. 

Senior Class Officer

Best Memories Growing Up in Galesburg/Attending GHS

I have so many wonderful memories of growing up in Galesburg and feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of such a supportive, close-knit community. Growing up in a smaller town afforded me the opportunity to explore a variety of sports, activities and build lasting friendships along the way. 

Some of my favorite memories include boating at Oak Run with family, riding bikes around town, church events, swimming at Lake Bracken every summer, and eating breakfast at Gray’s every Saturday morning with my dad. 

One of my favorite memories from GHS was running cross country alongside my sister, Stephanie, and a great group of friends. I am also grateful that I decided to try tennis during my senior year, as it has become a sport I still enjoy playing with family and friends today. 

Education After GHS

After graduating from GHS, I attended St. Ambrose University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Biology and met my husband, Caleb. I continued my education at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, where I completed four years of dental school before pursuing a two-year residency in Pediatric Dentistry.

How intense was dental school and the training? What things helped prepare you to handle the intensity involved?

Dental school came with a demanding workload that required balancing clinical coursework, exams, laboratory work, and patient care. My experience with AP classes in high school and challenging college courses helped prepare me for the academic demands and level of studying necessary to succeed. Although some of the coursework built upon concepts I had learned in college, dental courses moved at an accelerated pace and required strong time management and organizational skills. 

I feel fortunate to have been involved in a variety of sports, extracurricular activities, and church events from a young age, as these experiences taught me how to balance multiple commitments and prioritize my time effectively. These skills proved invaluable throughout my dental education.

Career

I recently started my career as a pediatric dentist. While I loved general dentistry, I always had a passion for working with children. Additionally, in my pediatric dental residency, I was able to gain additional training in treating children and adults with special healthcare needs and those with complex medical histories. Having an older brother with special healthcare needs, I am deeply passionate about providing accessible, compassionate care for this patient population. I consider it a true privilege to work as a pediatric dentist and to help ensure that every child receives compassionate, individualized dental care.

Today

I met my husband, Caleb, while at St. Ambrose University. We have now been married for three years. Following graduation from pediatric dental residency, we moved to Wisconsin, where my husband is completing his ENT residency training. 

I am grateful to practice pediatric dentistry and care for such wonderful patients. My husband and I have enjoyed exploring all that Madison has to offer including the biking, lakes, restaurants, sporting events, and becoming involved in our church community. 

We also love that Madison is still close to Galesburg and we are able to frequently visit and spend time with family. We feel incredibly blessed to be growing our family and are excited to welcome our first child in Spring 2027!

Advice for Today’s Students/Athletes

My advice is to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, as you never know where it may lead. Work hard and be diligent in all that you do, but remember to make time for family, friends, and yourself. 

Always, treat others with kindness, maintain a positive attitude, and build meaningful connections with others. Most importantly, keep God and your faith at the center of everything you do.